Dominique Easley's Player Profile

POSITIVES: Can play 1,3 and 5 technique (both 4-3 DT spots, and 3-4 DE).. Motor that does not stop.. Elite explosion off the ball.. Great snap reaction.. Always first one off the ball.. Disruptive.. Great instincts.. High upside.. Strong at the point of attack.. Gets hands up and bats down passes.. Scheme versatile.. Physical football player.. Quickness.. Knows how to get up the field.. Sets the edge.. Does a nice job separating.. Makes plays from the backside.. Able to stunt, slant, twist.. Able to shoot gaps.. Pushes pocket.. Agile.. Great stamina plays hard all 4 quarters.. Good closing speed.. Great initial punch.. Able to rush with power.. Relentless pass rusher.. Outstanding first step.. Fluid athlete.. Powerful bull rush.. Finishes plays.. Redirects to quarterback.. Can get skinny.. Can dominate at times.. Gets to the backfield.. Great pad level… Natural knee bender.. Has a strong rip move.. Experienced lining up everywhere along the defensive line.. Flashes a spin move as a counter.. Very good job disengaging.. Gap discipline.. Keeps contain in his rush.. Flows down the line.. Great job taking up blockers in line games.. Can rush from end, tackle, nose and as a standup blitzer.. Can make tackles 10 yards downfield.. athletic enough to drop occasionally.. Ability to force fumbles.. Inside pass rusher.. Can use hands and feet at the same time.. Can dip his inside shoulder and hip.. Rare athlete.. Burst.

NEGATIVES: Size.. Can be run at.. Doesn’t have a huge base.. Could add more lower body strength.. Could do a better job using his hands when pass rushing .. Doesn’t anchor well vs double teams.. Needs to use counter moves.. Doesn’t have speed to rush the edge.

OVERVIEW/NFL PROJECTION: Has the versatility to play in any scheme. Easley could be the most coveted defensive lineman this draft not named Jadeveon Clowney. His natural fit would be as a 3 technique in a 4-3 defense as he compares similarly to Geno Atkins, and Gerald McCoy. I think he is a superior player to his former teammate Sharriff Floyd who was drafted in the late 1st round by the Minnesota Vikings last year. I think Easley is a player with a huge upside who will be a pro bowler multiple years.Profile submitted by: Adam Chappell

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